Day: March 17, 2023

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KZN to protect right to work, commute during protests

The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, Sipho Hlomuka, has assured the public, especially those who will be going to work on Monday, 20 March, that their rights to work and commute will be protected during the planned national shutdown.

This follows the announcement by the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) that they will be taking to the streets in a planned national shutdown on Monday and have called on all South Africans to participate.

Schools will not be affected by the shutdown, as learners will not be going to school on Monday and Tuesday due to the Human Rights Day holiday, which falls on Tuesday.

“We therefore appeal to all parents to make sure that their children do not participate in the planned protests. As part of our operational plan, we have additional deployment that will be dedicated to this protest action.

“This will augment the existing 18 000 South African Police Service (SAPS) members in the province. Deployments will be made in areas that are perceived to be more fragile and seen as hot spots, including national key points,” Hlomuka said during a media briefing in Durban.

As of Friday, all teams and deployments from all districts will be activated and have been placed on high alert.

“We have also activated the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (ProvJoints). This structure comprises all government departments, including the SAPS and the South African Defence Force. Equally, our intelligence operatives have been activated in all districts for early warning systems and for proactive interventions.

“Through the ProvJoints, we will be monitoring developments every minute and hour of the day until the protesters disengage. We will use the lessons from previous experiences to make sure that our citizens are safe,” the MEC said.

He said normal policing will continue at police stations, as members of the public will be serviced as usual.

As part of the deployment, members of the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI), Public Transport Enforcement Services (PTES), eThekwini Metro and other municipal traffic officials will be managing all strategic points.

“Police management have also convened a meeting with Business Against Crime to engage them on increasing vigilance and security around their premises. This means the private security will be part of the machinery that will be monitoring the situation on the ground.

“The Department of Community Safety and Liaison will also be adding 1 400 volunteers in all districts to assist in monitoring the situation and feed the information to the police. Community Policing Forums and other community safety structures will be actively involved on the ground,” the MEC said.

Government will also be deploying resources such as helicopters, vehicles, inyalas, water cannons, and technology as part of monitoring the planned protests and securing the people.

Public order police will also be deployed in all districts, as they are trained in crowd management and control.

Public sector wage strike

Meanwhile, the provincial Justice, Crime Prevention and Security (JCPS) cluster has welcomed the decision by labour unions to suspend the public sector strike.

“This is important because as the province, we did experience some disruptions. This mostly affected hospitals and other critical sectors, including government buildings.

“This planned protest [on 20 March] will have no effect on the public service operations. Members of the public must be assured that they will receive maximum service, this includes licensing offices and social services offices.

"On the same note, we wish to commend the leadership of the unions for suspending their strike. This is progressive,” Hlomuka said.

The MEC appealed to members of the public to refrain from circulating unverified information on social media, as it causes unwarranted panic.

“We urge people to use social media responsibly during times like this. Stop circulating old videos. We also want to caution against the spreading of messages of fear, intimidation or inflammatory statements that could incite violence. This is a criminal offence.

“Law enforcement will not tolerate any lawlessness and any form of criminality. Therefore, it is important to note that anyone found contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly within the prescripts of the law,” he said.

Crime fighting efforts

The MEC said the planned protest on Monday will not disrupt the province’s crime fighting efforts.

“Strides are being made every day to stabilise the province and fight key categories of crime. As the JCPS cluster, we have a clear programme focusing on murder, illegal firearms, drugs and gender-based violence.

“Yesterday [Thursday] police made a breakthrough in Cato Manner when they arrested heavily armed criminals, who are believed to have been on their way to kill a businessman. Police proactively intercepted and recovered two AK 47s and stolen vehicles,” Hlomuka said.

During the month of February, more than 8 857 suspects were arrested for various crimes.

Of these, 152 were for murder and 150 for attempted murder. Police also recovered 309 firearms and 4 747 live ammunition.

“Ninety-two people were arrested for driving under the influence alcohol. One-hundred-and-fifty-seven kilograms of various drugs were seized. As we intensify the fight against GBV, more than 157 arrests were made in crimes committed against women and children.

“This work will continue and we must applaud the efforts led by the police and all other law enforcement agencies,” the MEC said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Human Settlements on service delivery in Nelson Mandela Bay Metro

Human Settlements delivery in an upward trajectory in the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro since war room intervention

The Nelson Mandela Bay Metropolitan Municipality (NMBMM) is showing signs of improvement in delivering sustainable human settlements to communities, as a result of interventions by the National Human Settlements War Room (NHSWaR) which was set up to expedite project planning, budgeting, implementation and monitoring in provinces and municipalities.

Compared to the 2021/2022 financial year where about 28 BNG units where built, the Metro well on its way to hit it’s targeted spending of the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG). This was revealed on Thursday during a visit to the Metro by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi, Deputy Minister Pam Tshwete, MEC Siphokazi Lusithi and MMC Tokelo Zumani, where they also handed over more than 270 houses in Polar Park and Qaqawuli housing projects, respectively.

As part of the intervention since their appointment by Minister Mmamoloko Kubayi in August last year, the NHSWaR began conducting working sessions with the NMBMM to diagnose the root causes of poor performance, particularly the Metro’s implementation of grants, namely; the Human Settlements Development Grant (HSDG), the Urban Settlements Development Grant (USDG) and the Informal Settlement Upgrading Partnership Grant (ISUPG).

Subsequently, a Ministerial Advisory was approved for the NHSWaR to conduct monthly technical oversight meetings wherein the 2022/23 business plans for all grants were technically assessed, with due consideration to the project scope, procurement, cost and time management.

“I am happy with the intervention, there’s quite a lot of improvement compared to the last time we were here and this progress gives hope. There’s improvement of performance and delivery with regards to our targets,” said Minister Kubayi.

“What brings us together as a collective is to ensure that we do the work we are contracted to do. Being here is not to tick the box, we are here because there is an intervention meant to resolve service delivery problems, especially on human settlements matters, and we must make sure we see the results to avoid making commitments we cannot deliver to our communities”.

Key findings by the NHSWaR also revealed that delays in the implementation of projects were caused by, amongst others, poor contract management, unrealistic project estimates, perceived higher material costs and disintegrated project plan. Through an integrated approach, introduced to reduce project risk and optimise efficiency and performace.

Moreover, delays in supply chain management process were found to be a contributing factor to poor performance in relation to the USDG and ISUPG.

Considering that the Metro is an urban area, Minister Kubayi emphasised a need to also focus on social housing and First Home Finance, which are two of the flagship programmes of the Department of Human Settlements, while noting that almost 70% of the people in informal settlements do not qualify for BNG (previously known as RDP).

“Working together with the banks, we need to have proper plans with the Social Housing Regulatory Council and National Housing Finance Corporation to tell us what can be done with regards to provision of houses for the missing middle,” said the Minister.

Deputy Minister of Human Settlements Pam Tshwete commended the work of the NHSWaR for tremendous work they are doing in giving life back into projects.

This financial year ending March 2023, government set aside R4 billion for the upgrading of informal settlements. In the new financial year 2023/2024, the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro will be allocated R300 million to improve the living conditions of households in informal settlements.

Speaking on the side-lines of the handover of houses in Qaqawulini, which is expected to yield more than 780 housing opportunities upon completion, MEC Lusithi indicated that this added more pressure on the fiscus and the growing needs by communities needing a roof over their heads.

“It will cost more to build a house that we could have build in 2009. We are however encouraged by the progress we’re seeing with intervention of the NHSWaR, working together with the municipality. It gives us hope that in this financial year, we will be able to deliver as we had committed to communities,” she said.

Meanwhile, the MMC for Human Settlements in the Metro, Cllr Tokelo Zumani welcomed the intervention by the department to unlock the potential to create sustainable human settlements. Despite political circumstances, he said, there are social compacts agreed to in order to safeguard service delivery. “The dedication of the team will assist us to inspire confidence that there is work done to restore the functioning of the municipality.”

The day commenced with a technical meeting in which the Ministerial delegation assessed performance and went further to consider more interventions to speed up service delivery. This was preceded by in-loco inspections, coupled with engagements with the community and significantly the hand over of newly built fully subsidized government homes to qualifying beneficiaries, including the elderly and women. There are over 270 houses beneficiaries at Polar Park, KwaLanga Township in Uithenhage, and Qaqawuli in New Brighton respectively.

Source: Government of South Africa

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Correctional Services on death of inmate Thabo Bester

The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has noted media reports on allegations regarding the death of inmate Thabo Bester in custody. On 3 May 2022, DCS issued a brief alert confirming an incident of death in custody, at Mangaung Correctional Centre (MCC) which is one of our public-private partnership (PPP) facilities, following reports of a fire in a single cell allocated to the said inmate.

We further disclosed that his body was discovered by officials employed at MCC at about 03h35. A burnt body meant that this case could not be classified as a natural death; hence, an investigation needed to be undertaken in order to determine the cause of death. This is a standard practice for all unnatural death cases in correctional facilities.

An unnatural death will also mean that the South African Police Service needed to be involved in order to conduct an investigation, should there be foul play or a criminal element involved. DCS has been inundated with media enquiries on the matter and we have clearly stated that the investigation is ongoing and there are no new developments. Almost all media enquiries received were relying heavily on the so-called leaks from unidentified sources.

It would be irresponsible for DCS to respond on unconfirmed or unofficial reports. What we have seen in the past two days relates to the information supplied by these unauthorised sources and the Department is pressured to confirm nor deny these reports. Let us reiterate that the investigation on the death of Thabo Bester has not been concluded and the autopsy report has not been tabled before the Department.

The matter has become a subject of public interest and the Department is pressing on the investigation team to conclude its work so that the findings could be made available.

Source: Government of South Africa

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President Ramaphosa to host Belgian Monarch on State Visit

President Cyril Ramaphosa will host a State Visit by His Majesty Prince Philippe and Her Majesty Queen Mathilde of the Kingdom of Belgium from 22 to 27 March in Pretoria.

In a statement on Friday, The Presidency said that the visit, which is the first to South Africa by the Belgian monarchy – is a demonstration of the strong bilateral relations that exist between the two countries.

“The State Visit will serve to expand and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and revitalise economic relations with a focus on trade, foreign direct investment, and tourism.

“South Africa and Belgium are also pursuing cooperation in renewable energy and in particular, green hydrogen.

“Belgium is one of South Africa’s most important economic partners and many of South Africa’s exports enter Europe through the Port of Antwerp, which is the second largest in the European Union,” the Presidency said.

South Africa enjoys a healthy trade surplus with Belgium with organic chemicals as the key export, followed closely by diamonds and motor vehicles. Belgian companies are also significant investors in the South African economy.

The Presidency added that Belgium is traditionally among the ten major sources of international tourists to South Africa.

Relations between South Africa and Belgium are managed through a Joint Commission that meets at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers.

The Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Alvin Botes, hosted the Fourth Meeting of the South Africa – Belgium Joint Commission in Pretoria on 8 November 2022.

“King Philippe’s delegation will comprise political, economic, and academic leadership, including the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hadja Lahbib, as well as the Ministers-President and representatives of the five regions of Belgium.

“The programme of the monarchs will include official engagements with President Ramaphosa and members of government as well as visits to Johannesburg and Cape Town where they will engage with academia, business, and civil society, and visit historical and cultural sites,” the Presidency said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

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Eskom welcomes decision to temporarily bypass pollution rules

Eskom says it welcomes the decision to exempt it from certain requirements in terms of its application to build temporary stacks at Kusile Power Station.

The Forestry, Fisheries and Environment Minister, Barbara Creecy, announced this week that Eskom has been granted an exemption from the lengthy process required to amend its Atmospheric Emission License, subject to certain strict conditions.

The application had been brought due to the urgent need to alleviate the electricity crisis in the country.

This follows a failure of the Unit 1 flue gas duct on 22 October 2022, which subsequently affected units 2 and 3 as the ducts for all these three units are welded together.

“The exemption given does not provide Eskom approval to operate the temporary stacks. The exemption allows Eskom to submit its application to operate the stacks based on presently available information and with a reduced public participation process.

“Based on the exemption provided by the Minister, Eskom intends to submit its final application for approval to operate the temporary stacks, to the relevant authorities in April 2023,” Eskom explained.

Approval of the final application, according to Eskom, means it will be able to operate the three units without the use of the flue gas desulphurisation (FDG) mechanism, which is an emission-abatement technology, for 13 months while the flue gas ducts are being repaired.

“The repair of the damaged stacks will be completed by December 2024 and during this time the necessary steps will be implemented to mitigate the impact of sulfur dioxide emissions on air quality.”

According to Eskom, the temporary structure will be completed by the end of November 2023, which will enable the return of 2 100MW.

This will further alleviate pressure on the power system and reduce load shedding by almost two stages.

“Eskom will comply with the conditions of the exemption.”

Source: South African Government News Agency

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President Cyril Ramaphosa hosts Majesty King Philippe and her Majesty Queen Mathilda of Kingdom of Belgium, 20 Mar

His Majesty Prince Philippe and Her Majesty Queen Mathilda of the Kingdom of Belgium will undertake a State Visit to South Africa from 22 to 27 March 2023 at the invitation of President Cyril Ramaphosa.

The visit – the first to South Africa by the Belgian monarchy – is a demonstration of the strong bilateral relations that exist between the two countries.

The State Visit will serve to expand and strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries and revitalise economic relations with a focus on trade, foreign direct investment, and tourism.

South Africa and Belgium are also pursuing cooperation in renewable energy and in particular, green hydrogen.

Belgium is one of South Africa’s most important economic partners and many of South Africa’s exports enter Europe through the Port of Antwerp, which is the second largest in the European Union.

South Africa enjoys a healthy trade surplus with Belgium with organic chemicals as the key export, followed closely by diamonds and motor vehicles.

Belgian companies are also significant investors in the South African economy.

Belgium is traditionally among the ten major sources of international tourists to South Africa.

Relations between South Africa and Belgium are managed through a Joint Commission that meets at the level of Deputy Foreign Ministers.

Mr Alvin Botes, the Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation hosted the Fourth Meeting of South Africa – Belgium Joint Commission in Pretoria on 8 November 2022.

King Philippe’s delegation will comprise political, economic, and academic leadership including the Federal Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Hadja Lahbib, as well as the Ministers-President and representatives of the five regions of Belgium.

The programme of the monarchs will include official engagements with President Ramaphosa and members of government as well as visits to Johannesburg and Cape Town where they will engage with academia, business, and civil society, and visit historical and cultural sites.

Source: Government of South Africa

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Police visibility heightened ahead of EFF protest

The National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) has mobilised maximum resources to heighten police visibility ahead of the Economic Freedom Fighters planned National Shutdown.

“NATJOINTS, working closely with our partners and stakeholders in the respective industries and sectors, have mobilised maximum resources to heighten police visibility with the aim of preventing and combatting any form of opportunistic crimes pre-, during and post the planned protest action,” Deputy National Commissioner of the SAPS responsible for Policing, Lieutenant General Tebello Mosikili said on Friday.

Addressing a media briefing in Pretoria Mosikili who is also the NaTJOINTS Co-Chair, said the respective PROVJOINTS have activated provincial multi-disciplinary deployments and operations as of today.

“This is to ensure that there is no ill-intended disruption on the plans of those who have to work, travel, or study, or perform any other business at any point during this semi-long weekend.”

The Deputy National Commissioner’s comments comes ahead of Monday’s planned shutdown.

“This is our update to the country at large, that there will be no National Shutdown. We know of a planned protest. To say there will be a national shutdown is misleading. Everything from business to services will be fully functional and operational and accessible.”

Measures put in place

She said measures that have been put in place by the Security Cluster will enable businesses and services to operate and government and all modes of transport services will be accessible to members of the public.

“Security will also be heightened at all our ports of entry, land, sea, and air. We assure travellers into and out of the country that there is no need to panic,” said Mosikili who also cautioned travellers to make provision for extra time factoring in security measures that will be in place to ensure the safety and security of everyone including tourists.

“As the NATJOINTS, we have a joint responsibility to protect everyone in our country and their property, including members of the international community.

“While every citizen has a right to protest, we want to reiterate that this right must be exercised in a manner that does not infringe on the rights of non-protesters. Prohibiting people's freedom of movement is a criminal offence. We will therefore enforce the law decisively in this regard.”

She added that it is the organiser’s responsibility to ensure that their participants or supporters at the demonstration or gathering, abide by the law and that the laws of the country are observed and respected with no related incidents of lawlessness taking place.

“To this end, the NATJOINTS will not tolerate any lawlessness and any form of criminality, whichever way it manifests itself. It is therefore important to note that anyone who is found to be contravening the law will be dealt with accordingly.

“The NATJOINTS will not allow any barricading of national, provincial and municipal roads. Public violence, the burning of tyres and placing of rocks and debris to blockade roads, as well as looting will not be allowed.

“The destruction of property whether it be private or public property, as well as business and economic sites, is against the law,” she said.

In addition the NATJOINTS is also monitoring social media.

“The NATJOINTS is also closely monitoring the situation and the social media mobilisation that is currently unfolding. Incitement of violence through any platforms including social media, as well as the sharing of inflammatory messages, are criminal offences according to the Cyber Crimes Act, where social media users can actually be charged for intimidation and incitement to commit violence.

“Members of the public are cautioned against spreading messages that seek to mobilise communities to shutdown roads, intimidate and incite violence, as well as messages encouraging damage to economic sites.

“We have also noted instances where supposed mobilisation for the protest action has now extended into stores where our shoppers are going about their daily lives.

She said such acts are not only as being provocative, but also as a “deliberate attempt to instil fear and to bully businesses and shoppers into participating in the protest against their will.”

NATJOINTS has called on all people in South Africa to uphold the law and to say NO to any action aimed at breaking the country’s laws.

Members of the public are encouraged to report any wrongdoing and any suspicious activities to their nearest police stations or by calling the Crime Stop number 08600 10111.

Source: South African Government News Agency